The tropical hyacinth orchid, Dipodium stenochilum, flowering on Galiwin’ku in north-east Arnhem Land.

Three orchids from Arnhem Land

May 14, 2022

How time flies! Looking at my blog, I realise I didn’t even manage a single post for 2021 and its already well into 2022. Perhaps it is because I saw very few orchids last year, or perhaps I was off doing better things…

These photos of tropical orchids were taken on Yolŋu Country in Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) in north-east Arnhem Land. Much of north-east Arnhem Land is Yolŋu Country, and Galiwin’ku is very much a Yolŋu community first and foremost. My partner has been working here for the last few years for a Yolŋu corporation, and its been an amazing opportunity to live here over the last year or so.

Jean and Bill Egan (left) and me talking about orchids on our Black Mountain orchid walk.

Black Mountain orchid walks 10th & 11th October

October 28, 2020

Earlier this month Jean Egan and myself ran three guided orchid tours on Black Mountain, showcasing some of the diversity of native orchids found right on our doorstep in the centre of Canberra. Perhaps not many people are aware of our native orchid diversity, but by way of comparison, there are more species of orchid on Black Mountain alone (59 species) than there are in the whole of Britain (52 species).

One of my favourites, Corysanthes fimbriatus at Royal NP. — One of my favourites, Corysanthes fimbriatus at Royal NP.

Little hiding helmets

July 26, 2020

It’s that time of year that you might be lucky enough to spot a little helmet orchid or two hiding in amongst the leaf litter.

Leptospermum laevigatum, the coast tea tree, at Cape Schanck, Victoria. I love the crinkly flowers. — Leptospermum laevigatum, the coast tea tree, at Cape Schanck, Victoria. I love the crinkly flowers.

Zeiss 100mm f2 Makro-Planar: a belated review

May 24, 2020

This post is a review-of-sorts of the Zeiss 100mm f2 Makro-Planar, although in actual fact its more like an answer to my own question: is the Zeiss worth it for macro photography?

Ophrys apifera, the bee orchid, is one of four species of Ophrys in Britain. — Ophrys apifera, the bee orchid, is one of four species of Ophrys in Britain.

An Aussie's guide to British orchids

June 22, 2019

I’m fond of the comparison between orchid diversity in Canberra and Britain. On Black Mountain, a 460 ha reserve right next to the centre of Canberra, we have more species of orchid (66 species) than in the whole of Britain (52 species). Perhaps the comparison is a little unfair…but regardless we are incredibly lucky in Australia to have over 1700 species of native orchid.

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The view from the kitchen window this morning. Nature photography is a little different in 2020!
#smoke #fires #climatechange #canberra

The view from the kitchen window this morning. Nature photography is a little different in 2020! #smoke #fires #climatechange #canberra

Those who’ve seen Rufous Bristlebirds know that they’re simply the best. Such characters.

Those who’ve seen Rufous Bristlebirds know that they’re simply the best. Such characters.

I was recently asked to provide images of Red-kneed Dotterels for a sign at Jerrabomberra, and I had to go off digging in my old hard drives from way back in 2011. I’d forgotten that I’d spent a magical afternoon at Calperum Station with

I was recently asked to provide images of Red-kneed Dotterels for a sign at Jerrabomberra, and I had to go off digging in my old hard drives from way back in 2011. I’d forgotten that I’d spent a magical afternoon at Calperum Station with Red-kneed Dotterels coming almost within touching distance in beautiful sunset light. At the time I was out with @hoops.daniel helping him catch dragons near Renmark in South Australia for his PhD. . . #redkneeddotterel #southaustralia #australianbirds #ausgeo #canonaustralia #plover #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #bird_brilliance

The lowly greenhood is quite an incredible orchid. It grows in central northern Victoria and flowers in November-December at a time when most other orchids in the area have died off for the season.
It grows on soil which is baked hard by the hot sun

The lowly greenhood is quite an incredible orchid. It grows in central northern Victoria and flowers in November-December at a time when most other orchids in the area have died off for the season. It grows on soil which is baked hard by the hot sun and seems an inhospitable place for a delicate little orchid to be growing. Plus, it is rare and just looks damn cool! . . #australiannativeorchids #australiannativeplants #pterostylis #pterostylisdespectans #summer #orchids #ausgeo #canonaus #macro_secrets #zeiss100mmf2

The Campbell Albatross is the celebrity of seabird world. Well dressed, perfectly drawn eyeliner, audacious lipstick. Always ready for a night out on the ocean.
#noeyelinerneeded #iwokeuplikethis #seabirdcelebrity #albatross #campbellalbatross #wild

The Campbell Albatross is the celebrity of seabird world. Well dressed, perfectly drawn eyeliner, audacious lipstick. Always ready for a night out on the ocean. #noeyelinerneeded #iwokeuplikethis #seabirdcelebrity #albatross #campbellalbatross #wildlifephotography #canonaustralia #annateenlyf

Sun. Orchid. Explosion! I remember this scene, 5 years ago I found this spotted sun orchid in beautiful Bush at Royal National Park. The last golden rays of the sun were hitting the back of the flower causing the most magnificent explosion of pinks a

Sun. Orchid. Explosion! I remember this scene, 5 years ago I found this spotted sun orchid in beautiful Bush at Royal National Park. The last golden rays of the sun were hitting the back of the flower causing the most magnificent explosion of pinks and purples and yellows. . . #australiannativeorchids #australiannativeplants #sunorchid #thelymitraixioides #sun #orchids #macro_secrets #canonaustralia

So happy for the #hoiho to win NZ Bird of the Year, the first seabird to win. I feel incredibly privileged to have seen these gorgeous penguins on Enderby Island in the sub-Antarctics.
#yelloweyedpenguin #forestandbird #enderbyisland #birdoftheyear2

So happy for the #hoiho to win NZ Bird of the Year, the first seabird to win. I feel incredibly privileged to have seen these gorgeous penguins on Enderby Island in the sub-Antarctics. #yelloweyedpenguin #forestandbird #enderbyisland #birdoftheyear2019 #penguin #subantarctic #seabird

A little bit tongue-in-cheek 😛
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of how weird these plumed greenhoods are. The densely hairy labellum is probably involved in pollinator attraction somehow but exactly how is unclear. There is some sugges

A little bit tongue-in-cheek 😛 I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of how weird these plumed greenhoods are. The densely hairy labellum is probably involved in pollinator attraction somehow but exactly how is unclear. There is some suggestion dagger flies are involved in pollination (including a great set of photos by Rudie Kuiter) but evidence is still scarce. . . #australiannativeorchids #pterostylis #greenhood #ausgeo #orchid #australiannativeplants #macro_secrets #zeiss100mmf2